WBRZ - Baton Rouge

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• News 2 Investigates: Crime camera costs, criticisms Play Video

  May 16, 2013 2:41 PM

  BATON ROUGE- A News 2 investigation into crime cameras in the city of Baton Rouge revealed thousands of dollars are being spent on the current system, but there hasn't been one conviction in court as a result of the expensive crime fighting tools. At least one Baton Rouge Metro Council... more »

• Mayor under scrutiny vetoes department head measure Play Video

  May 13, 2013 1:39 PM

  PORT ALLEN - Mayor Deedy Slaughter vetoed a measure passed by the Port Allen City Council last week which would have explicity listed several city positions as department heads, including the chief financial officer who took Slaughter to court after the mayor tried to fire her. The ordinance, which... more »

• Audit criticizes Folsom finances

  May 13, 2013 11:46 AM

  FOLSOM, La. - A state audit of the finances of the village of Folsom cites 19 findings of deficiencies, including undocumented fuel expenses for a vehicle driven by the mayor. The report from the state legislative auditor's office, prepared by the firm of Griffin and Co., also finds that more... more »

• New allegations of possible wrongdoing by Port Allen Mayor Play Video

  April 30, 2013 3:34 PM

  PORT ALLEN- More allegations of possible wrongdoing by Port Allen Mayor Deedy Slaughter surfaced after a contempt hearing was continued in West Baton Rouge Parish today. In court, we learned Slaughter hired a new legal team of attorneys to represent her after a judge overturned her firing of Chief... more »

• Mayor to face contempt accusations in court

  April 30, 2013 10:42 AM

  PORT ALLEN - A hearing to determine if Mayor Deedy Slaughter of Port Allen violated a judge's order not to interfere with the city's chief financial officer has been continued until May. Today Mayor Slaughter had new attorneys representing her. Judge Alvin Batiste told both sides the court issued... more »

• City Auditor: Port Allen not in compliance with bond account Play Video

  April 16, 2013 4:21 PM

  PORT ALLEN - Concern is growing in Port Allen among city leaders over a compliance issue with bond accounts. An audit conducted for the city last year, indicated the city needed to set up what's called a "sinking fund." The account would be used to pay off bond debts.... more »

• Sorrento Mayor's race goes to runoff Play Video

  April 8, 2013 5:34 PM

  SORRENTO - The mayor of Sorrento's father could have a shot at taking his son's spot. Wilson Longanecker Sr. will face Mike Lambert in a runoff next month after this weekend's election yielded no majority winner. Wilson Longanecker Jr., the current mayor, lost his bid for a spot... more »

• Mayor, council discuss NOPD consent decree

  March 28, 2013 10:22 AM

  NEW ORLEANS - The New Orleans City Council and Mayor Mitch Landrieu are meeting to discuss the financial burdens posed by separate agreements to reform aspects of the city's criminal justice system. One of those agreements is the much-heralded agreement the city reached with the U.S. Justice Department last July... more »

• Springfield mayor, police chief due in court

  March 21, 2013 11:26 AM

  BATON ROUGE - Springfield's mayor and police chief are scheduled to be in court to face charges they conspired to hide a woman's DWI citation, according to the state attorney general's office. A grand jury indicted Mayor Charles Martin and Police Chief James Jones on charges of obstruction of... more »

• Vicksburg mayor facing federal bribery charges

  February 21, 2013 9:03 AM

  JACKSON, Miss. - Vicksburg Mayor Paul Winfield has been arrested on federal bribery charges. FBI spokeswoman Deborah Madden says Winfield was arrested in Vicksburg by federal agents. No details of Winfield's arrest have been released. The 39-year-old Winfield is being held in the Madison County Detention Center in Canton.... more »

• Ex-N.O. mayor pleads not guilty to bribery, fraud

  February 20, 2013 2:36 PM

  NEW ORLEANS- Former New Orleans Mayor Ray Nagin has pleaded not guilty to charges he accepted bribes, free trips and other gratuities in exchange for helping contractors secure millions of dollars in work for the city. A 21-count indictment last month accuses Nagin of accepting more than $200,000 in... more »

• Judge rules for fired Port Allen financial officer

  February 20, 2013 12:52 PM

  PORT ALLEN - A judge ruled today that Port Allen's mayor had no authority to fire the city's chief financial officer, and ordered she give her job back. Judge Alvin Batiste said Audrey McCain was a department head, so Mayor "Deedy" Slaughter could not have fired her. Slaughter... more »

• Holden chooses to uphold BRPD chief's firing Play Video

  February 18, 2013 10:55 AM

  BATON ROUGE - East Baton Rouge Mayor Kip Holden announced he will uphold his decision to fire Baton Rouge Police Chief Dewayne White. Holden made the announcement during a public hearing with White and his attorney which grew contentious at times. Holden said White made several misrepresentations during... more »

• White finishes statement, Holden to render decision Play Video

  February 18, 2013 9:13 AM

  BATON ROUGE- Police Chief Dwayne White has finished his testimony at a special hearing into his future. Mayor-President Kip Holden said he would have a decision in the matter in about ten minutes. White testified for more than an hour telling Holden he and the police department had... more »

• Police association stands behind BRPD chief Play Video

  February 14, 2013 11:55 AM

  BATON ROUGE - The Magnolia State Peace Officers Association of Louisiana released a statement today supporting Dewayne White, who was recently removed from his position as Baton Rouge Police chief. The MSPOA said White had made "obvious efforts" to address concerns with crime, and they support him on a... more »

• Mayor's office gives White letter explaining firing Play Video

  February 13, 2013 6:47 PM

  BATON ROUGE - Mayor Kip Holden's office sent former Baton Rouge Police Chief Dewayne White a letter today listing more than a dozen reasons they want him fired. The letter's 14 points include accusations of nepotism, destroying potentially-sensitive documents, and leaking confidential information or making inflammatory statements to the... more »

• News 2 Investigates: Mayor attends inauguration on taxpayers' dime Play Video

  February 11, 2013 5:18 PM

  PORT ALLEN - One week after News 2 turned in public records requests asking for financial information surrounding Port Allen's new mayor, Dee Dee Slaughter, she fired her Chief Financial Officer. Those documents News 2 obtained show Slaughter traveled to Washington D.C. for President Obama's inauguration last month, and... more »

• Attorney: Mayor broke policy to fire Chief Play Video

  February 8, 2013 6:09 PM

  BATON ROUGE - Three days after the East Baton Rouge Mayor's Office abruptly fired the city's police chief, his attorney said the Mayor may not have followed policy when making the decision. Jill Craft, who represents Dewayne White, told News 2 the State Examiner's officer confirmed with her that... more »

• Former BR Police officer concerned about union, mayor relationship Play Video

  February 7, 2013 5:52 PM

  BATON ROUGE- Former Baton Rouge Police Officer Richard Sobers retired after 25 years with the department. He says he can't remember a chief of police being terminated, unless it involved a new mayor taking office. Sobers says he heard from current police who are glad Mayor Kip Holden fired... more »

• Councilwoman calls for BRPD chief changes Play Video

  February 7, 2013 5:12 PM

  BATON ROUGE - A Metro Council member called for changes to how the Baton Rouge Police Chief is selected, after the recently fired chief accused city-parish officials of keeping him from doing his job. Council member C. Denise Marcelle said on Facebook Thursday that Dewayne White's accusations left a... more »

• Bill Clinton to speak at Ed Koch's funeral in NYC

  February 4, 2013 2:34 AM

  NEW YORK - Ed Koch is being remembered as the quintessential New Yorker - an admired but tough former mayor who will be honored at his funeral by former President Bill Clinton. At the service Monday morning at Manhattan's Temple Emanu-El, mourners will also hear about Koch's other fierce loyalty:... more »

• Former NYC mayor Ed Koch dies

  February 1, 2013 6:28 AM

  NEW YORK - Former New York Mayor Ed Koch, the combative politician who rescued the city from near-financial ruin during three City Hall terms, has died at age 88. Spokesman George Arzt says Koch died Friday morning of congestive heart failure. In City Hall, Koch embodied New York for the... more »

• Zachary mayor explains overpayment error

  January 24, 2013 7:03 AM

  ZACHARY - Zachary Mayor David Amrhein said a discrepancy between an old city ordinance and the revised home-rule charter approved in 2010 has caused him to be overpaid by $3,200. The mayor says the ordinance specified that he and the police chief would be eligible for a 2 percent... more »

• Ex-New Orleans mayor charged with bribery, fraud

  January 18, 2013 12:30 PM

  NEW ORLEANS - Former New Orleans Mayor Ray Nagin has been indicted on 21 corruption charges including wire fraud, bribery and money laundering. The charges announced Friday come from a City Hall corruption investigation that already has resulted in guilty pleas by two former city officials and two businessmen. The... more »

• Mayor Holden signs disaster declaration for EBR

  January 11, 2013 3:52 PM

  BATON ROUGE - Mayor-President Kip Holden officially declared a local disaster for East Baton Rouge Parish after two days of rainfall and localized flooding. The declaration activates parish emergency response plans and other activities. Holden's office noted that while the rain has stopped, the Amite and Comite rivers... more »

• Holden: Still work to do in third term Play Video

  January 4, 2013 6:28 PM

  BATON ROUGE- Choirs, former LSU Basketball coach Dale Brown and others helped kick off Mayor Kip Holden's third term today. Holden vowed to work with the new Metro Council members to keep things like economic growth strong, while preserving older parts of the city. Some agree with putting... more »

• Appeals court to hear Baton Rouge mayor's case

  December 27, 2012 2:48 PM

  BATON ROUGE- A state appeals court will hear a dispute over allegations that Baton Rouge Mayor-President Kip Holden violated campaign spending laws in 2010. The Advocate reports that the 1st Circuit Court of Appeal scheduled a Jan. 11 hearing to review a district judge's ruling that Holden didn't violate the... more »

• Ethics Board cites mayor-loan conflict

  December 5, 2012 7:46 AM

  BATON ROUGE - The Louisiana Board of Ethics has levied conflict of interest charges against Independence Mayor Michael Ragusa. The allegations stem from Ragusa's involvement in a loan application to the Town of Independence Historic District Fund that financially benefitted his sons and his daughter-in-law. Under state law,... more »

• 2 in face off for Port Allen mayor

  November 26, 2012 10:22 AM

  PORT ALLEN - Voters deciding who will serve as Port Allen mayor for the next four years have a choice on the Dec. 8 election ballot between the incumbent and one of his challengers in a previous mayoral election a year ago. Mayor Roger Bergeron, a Democrat, is once again... more »

• Walker selects new mayor by 40-vote margin

  November 7, 2012 5:50 PM

  WALKER- Voters in Walker selected a new mayor by a margin of 40 votes after a heated election. Rick Ramsey won the vote with 51 percent and 1,307 votes, while incumbent Bobby Font received 1,267 votes. Ramsey told News 2 he wants to hit the ground running when... more »

• Holden: "Big plans" for third term as EBR Mayor-Pres. Play Video

  November 6, 2012 11:21 PM

  BATON ROUGE - East Baton Rouge Mayor-President Kip Holden will serve a third term in office. He sailed to an easy victory tonight, beating challenger Mike Walker after getting 60 percent of the vote with nearly all precincts reporting. Holden said he has big plans for his third... more »

• Long lines don't deter voters

  November 6, 2012 4:54 PM

  BATON ROUGE - Precincts around East Baton Rouge parish brought long lines and heavy traffic. The average wait time was an hour, some waited up to two. Despite the long waits, most voters didn't seem to mind. "It wasn't too long considering what we're doing here," said Tony... more »

• Mayor Bloomberg says NYC Marathon canceled

  November 2, 2012 4:49 PM

  NEW YORK - New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg says New York City Marathon has been canceled. His statement Friday came after mounting criticism that this was not the time for a race. With people in storm-ravaged areas still shivering without electricity and the death toll in New York City... more »

• D.A. leaves case against mayor

  October 18, 2012 9:41 PM

  INDEPENDENCE- The district attorney in Tangipahoa Parish has recused his office from prosecuting Mayor Michael Ragusa. Ragusa faces charges of battery on a police officer and resisting arrest. District Attorney Scott Perrilloux said his office is connected to Ragusa through open cases, and shouldn't prosecute the case. ... more »

• Sentencing delayed for man linked to Nagin probe

  October 16, 2012 2:42 PM

  NEW ORLEANS - A judge has postponed a sentencing hearing for a Louisiana businessman linked to a federal probe of former New Orleans Mayor Ray Nagin. Frank Fradella pleaded guilty in June to making a $50,000 payoff to a former city official in exchange for favorable treatment for his business... more »

• Orleans criminal court clerk sues city

  October 9, 2012 3:08 PM

  NEW ORLEANS - Orleans Parish Criminal Court Clerk Arthur Morrell has filed a lawsuit against the city because Mayor Mitch Landrieu's administration is withholding 3.8 percent of Morrell's $3.7 million budget. The lawsuit asks a state district judge to stop what it calls an abuse of discretion in allegedly refusing... more »

• Porn clips sex up election

  September 13, 2012 7:33 PM

  A candidate for mayor in Bosnia's fourth largest city is using pornography to draw attention to his campaign. Mirad Hadziahametovic is an independent candidate with a slim chance of winning, so he decided to upload pornographic video clips to his campaign site since large numbers of people surf the web... more »

• Guilty plea in murder for hire plot

  September 6, 2012 7:36 PM

  The owner of a topless club in Texas pleaded guilty to trying to hire a hit man to a kill the Mayor and the city Attorney of Arlington. Ryan Grant admitted it before a judge and faces a minimum of ten years in prison and a $250,000 fine. He faces... more »

• Holden: Walker's actions "childish" in BRAVE announcement Play Video

  September 5, 2012 6:34 PM

  BATON ROUGE - With just two months until East Baton Rouge Parish voters head to the polls to decide who will be mayor-president for the next four years, the race to be the parish's top leader is heating up. Tuesday afternoon at 3:25, Mayor-President Kip Holden's office sent out... more »

• Holden to give update on Isaac preps in EBR

  August 27, 2012 1:57 PM

  BATON ROUGE - Mayor-President Kip Holden is scheduled to give an update on preparations in East Baton Rouge Parish for tropical storm Isaac this afternoon. Holden scheduled a 2 p.m. press conference for the update. The parish public school system announced earlier this afternoon they could cancel classes... more »

• Qualifying ends today for La. candidates

  August 17, 2012 4:12 PM

  BATON ROUGE - Qualifying ends today for candidates who want to be listed on the ballot for the Nov. 6 election in Louisiana. Candidates must file their applications and required filing fees by 5 p.m. today or remain unlisted. In the East Baton Rouge Parish race for mayor-president,... more »

• Port Allen still talking about trash

  August 2, 2012 10:37 AM

  PORT ALLEN - Port Allen Mayor Roger Bergeron told the city council that as of Aug. 1 and lacking a trash service rate increase, the city stands to lose about $316,000 during the four years left in its contract with Progressive Waste Solutions. Bergeron attributed the loss to a $3.29... more »

• Springfield leaders plead "not guilty" to charges

  August 1, 2012 3:50 PM

  LIVINGSTON - The mayor and police chief of Springfield pleaded not guilty today in Livingston Parish to charges they conspired to lessen charges against a woman initially arrested for driving drunk. Mayor Charles Martin and Police Chief James Jones entered the plea at their arraignment today on charges of... more »

• Conroy ends bid for EBR mayor-president

  July 30, 2012 1:46 PM

  BATON ROUGE - Business owner John Conroy ended his run for East Baton Rouge mayor-president today. Conroy said the experience had been a "pleasure", and that he had sought to highlight issues he felt needed addressing with his campaign. "Crime is out of control, our District Attorney's office... more »

• Mayor announces changes to office

  July 27, 2012 4:37 PM

  BATON ROUGE- Leadership at the mayor-president's office is changing. Chief Administrative Officer John Carpenter has resigned. Public Works Director William Daniel has been appointed to the position. According to a news release from Mayor Kip Holden's office, Carpenter left to "pursue other interests." Daniel is no stranger... more »

• N.O. mayor's son arrested on DWI charge

  July 17, 2012 11:02 AM

  NEW ORLEANS - A teenage son of New Orleans Mayor Mitch Landrieu has been arrested on suspicion of driving while intoxicated. A spokeswoman for the New Orleans Police Department says 19-year-old Benjamin Landrieu was arrested early Tuesday. He was booked into the city's jail on charges that also include reckless... more »

• Sorrento's mayor missing in action Play Video

  July 16, 2012 5:59 PM

  SORRENTO - Mayor Wilson Longanecker, Jr., who won his seat by one vote, has not stepped foot in his office for 145 days. His extended leave began in February when he took a medical absence citing a foot surgery, but since then hasn't returned any phone calls, text messages... more »

• Alaska town: Feline mayor is the cat's pajamas

  July 16, 2012 12:23 PM

  TALKEETNA, Alaska - The mayor of a sleepy Alaska town is feline fine. The part-Manx cat clawed his way onto the political scene of Talkeetna, Alaska, through a write-in campaign shortly after he was born 15 years ago. KTUU-TV reported Friday that residents didn't like the mayoral candidates years ago,... more »

• Springfield mayor, police chief indicted

  July 12, 2012 2:28 PM

  SPRINGFIELD - A Livingston Parish grand jury has indicted the mayor and police chief of a Baton Rouge suburb on charges they conspired to hide a woman's 2011 drunken driving citation. Louisiana Attorney General James "Buddy" Caldwell's office says Thursday's four-count indictment charges Mayor Charles Martin and Police Chief James... more »

• Utah mayor says vote too close to call on fate of his 18-inch handlebar mustache

  July 5, 2012 12:36 PM

  SALT LAKE CITY - The vote on whether a Utah mayor should shave off all 18 inches of his handlebar mustache is too close to call. Residents of the Salt Lake City suburb of Murray cast votes Wednesday on whether Mayor Dan Snarr saves it or shaves it by giving... more »

• Mayor: Colorado Springs fire destroys 346 homes

  June 28, 2012 5:27 PM

  COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. - The mayor of Colorado Springs says a raging wildfire has destroyed an estimated 346 homes, making the blaze the most destructive in state history. Mayor Steve Bach says city officials assessed the damage and that it was subject to change as they get more information. It... more »

• Former Port Allen mayor sentenced to 40 months

  June 12, 2012 1:30 PM

  BATON ROUGE - A federal judge sentenced former Port Allen Mayor Derek Lewis to 40 months in prison Tuesday, after Lewis pleaded guilty to racketeering charges. He testified against former New Roads Mayor Tommy Nelson and former St. Gabriel Mayor George Grace in exchange for a lighter sentence. ... more »

• Gonzales trail, park project put on hold

  March 18, 2012 10:19 AM

  GONZALES - Mayor Barney Arceneaux says a project that would turn a 54-acre tract of land in Gonzales into walking trails and a dog park has been put on hold. The mayor said on Friday that he wants to make sure the funds for the project are locked up before... more »

• Holden and Walker at odds over state of the city-parish Play Video

  February 15, 2012 6:46 PM

  BATON ROUGE - As Mayor Kip Holden announced to the Rotary Club, "the state of the city and parish is strong," Mayor Pro Tem and mayoral candidate Mike Walker looked on as he waited to spell out the problems he said he'll fix as the next mayor. Walker officially... more »

• Walker announces his candidacy for Baton Rouge mayor

  February 15, 2012 2:29 PM

  BATON ROUGE - Baton Rouge Mayor Pro-Tem Mike Walker is now officially in the race for Mayor-President of Baton Rouge. Walker made his announcement Wednesday afternoon at Cortana Mall. Walker says, as Mayor-President, he plans to tackle problems with crime, education and small business growth in East Baton... more »

• EBR Mayor Pro Tem running for mayor-president Play Video

  February 14, 2012 10:48 PM

  BATON ROUGE- East Baton Rouge Parish Mayor Pro Tem Mike Walker tells News 2 he is running for Mayor-President in November. Walker has been on the council for 12 years. Current Mayor-President Kip Holden is seeking his third term in office. At least two Baton Rouge businessmen also say... more »

• Lewis questioned in Grace corruption trial

  February 14, 2012 11:05 AM

  BATON ROUGE - Defense attorneys for George Grace tried to poke holes today in the prosecution's depiction of the former St. Gabriel mayor as a "godfather" for other local officials in his federal corruption trial. Former Port Allen mayor Derek Lewis testified yesterday that Grace was a "godfather" or... more »

• Former Port Allen Mayor testifies against fellow "A-team"

  February 14, 2012 8:55 AM

  BATON ROUGE - Former Port Allen Mayor Derek Lewis testified Monday in the corruption trial of the former mayor of St. Gabriel, George Grace. Lewis will stay on the stand today to answer questions from Grace's defense team. The former Port Allen Mayor said George Grace was a mentor... more »

• Corruption trial enters its 4th week in Fed Court

  February 13, 2012 8:45 AM

  BATON ROUGE - The corruption trial of former St. Gabriel Mayor George Grace starts back up today as the trial goes into its fourth week. Prosecution brought Shreveport Mayor Cedric B. Glover to the stand Thursday, testifying that Grace asked him to meet at Baton Rouge Metro Airport sometime... more »

• Feds investigating Nagin travel, family business

  February 10, 2012 4:22 PM

  NEW ORLEANS (AP) - People with direct knowledge of the investigation say federal authorities are looking into longstanding questions about free trips and gratuities that former New Orleans Mayor Ray Nagin allegedly accepted while in office. The people told The Associated Press on Friday that authorities also are investigating how... more »

• Defense questions FBI agent in corruption trial

  February 7, 2012 8:40 AM

  BATON ROUGE - Former St. Gabriel Mayor, George Grace's defense team will get the chance to question FBI undercover operative, William Myles today. The trial continues with the third week at 9:00 a.m. today, as the defendant's attorney, Lewis Unglesby tries to discredit Myles to clear his client of... more »

• Jury selected in George Grace trial

  January 25, 2012 3:32 PM

  BATON ROUGE - Attorneys selected four men and 11 women to be on the jury for former St. Gabriel mayor George Grace's corruption trial. Judge Maurice Hicks dismissed the jury after they were selected, telling them not to discuss the case with anyone or do any research on it.... more »

• Trial to begin for former mayor of St. Gabriel

  January 23, 2012 6:44 AM

  BATON ROUGE - The trial of former St. Gabriel Mayor George L. Grace opens Monday with jury selection. Grace was charged in September 2010 with several charges, including racketeering, extortion, obstruction of justice, bribery, mail and wire fraud as part of the FBI's "Operation Blighted Officials" sting. Five other area... more »

• NYC mayor: Work on 9/11 museum has stalled

  December 30, 2011 4:47 AM

  NEW YORK (AP) - New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg says work on a planned museum at the World Trade Center has ground to a halt because of a money dispute, and there is now "no chance" it will open on time. The museum commemorating the 9/11 attacks was scheduled to... more »

• Mayor Holden rings bell for Salvation Army

  December 22, 2011 10:52 AM

  BATON ROUGE - Baton Rouge's mayor picked up a Salvation Army bell Thursday to help raise money for the charity . Mayor Kip Holden appeared at the Walmart on College to collect contributions for the nearly 150-year-old charitable organization. "It's a great time in Baton Rouge to see people... more »

• Mayor launches energy conservation initiative

  December 15, 2011 4:04 AM

  BATON ROUGE -The city of Baton Rouge has officially gone green. Mayor Kip Holden launched the ConserveBR energy efficiency outreach program Wednesday. The grant-funded program encourages both city-parish employees and area residents to become more energy-efficient by making small changes to conserve energy usage. For more information... more »

• EBR council, mayor talk about continuing feud

  December 14, 2011 10:24 PM

  BATON ROUGE- Lots of talk around Baton Rouge Wednesday followed Tuesday night's continued feud between Mayor Kip Holden and the Metro Council. The back-and-forth battles have persisted all year involving budgets, the fourth attempt at a bond proposal and projects to grow downtown Baton Rouge, among other topics. The... more »

• EBR Metro Council rips mayor's budget apart Play Video

  December 13, 2011 10:35 PM

  BATON ROUGE- The East Baton Rouge Metro Council approved a $745 million spending plan for 2012, but not without making several changes that put city-parish administrators on edge. The council gave pay raises to Mosquito Control workers and Constables using department surpluses and the city-parish's reserve fund. Members also... more »

• Mayor tells Occupy N.O. protesters to break camp

  December 2, 2011 6:04 PM

  NEW ORLEANS - Mayor Mitch Landrieu has ordered Occupy New Orleans protesters to remove tents and other gear from the park across from City Hall. The protesters, loosely affiliated with the Occupy Wall Street movement, have been in Duncan Plaza for 58 days. Landrieu the protesters were being... more »

• EMS admin: we need more workers Play Video

  November 22, 2011 6:03 PM

  BATON ROUGE-- Emergency Medical Services Administrator Pam Porter met with Mayor Kip Holden Tuesday afternoon to request 20 more workers to staff the 911 call center and to staff ambulances. But city finance workers said no to the original request Monday night, citing long-term funding as a concern. ... more »

• Mayor presents comfortable budget for 2012

  November 4, 2011 10:32 PM

  BATON ROUGE- Mayor-President Kip Holden gave council his proposed spending plan for 2012 Friday morning. The general fund is up almost two-percent over last year, and nearly every department got a boost because of it. The general fund is the largest part of the budget and covers most city-parish... more »

• Metro Councilman wants investigation into MOHSEP

  November 4, 2011 5:44 PM

  BATON ROUGE- Metro Council Member Chandler Loupe says he wants information on millions of dollars in federal grants issued to the Mayor's Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness. To make sure that happens, he wants an official investigation by the Council. The investigation is now on the agenda... more »

• EBR taxpayers may cover cost of dispute

  November 2, 2011 5:49 PM

  BATON ROUGE - Your tax dollars may be used to help solve an ongoing dispute between the mayor and the sheriff. East Baton Rouge Parish-President Kip Holden says the current system to handle federal, emergency grant money saves lives. Homeland security money was under the control of the... more »

• BR mayor loses grant power; Sheriff, Ascension Parish pick up slack

  October 27, 2011 10:31 PM

  BATON ROUGE- Baton Rouge Mayor Kip Holden is now powerless over $4 million in crime-fighting grant money. The sheriff is instead in charge of where the money goes. The state says that's because the mayor didn't follow the rules, despite being given several deadlines and assistance to get the... more »

• Sheriff gets control over grant money

  October 27, 2011 4:04 PM

  BATON ROUGE- The East Baton Rouge Parish Sheriff is now in charge of nearly $4 million in crime-fighting money for the parish. It means Mayor-President Kip Holden has no say. For the past four months, Holden and Sheriff Sid Gautreaux have been at odds over what to do... more »

• Former mayor gets 10 years in FBI sting

  October 12, 2011 3:57 PM

  BATON ROUGE - Former White Castle mayor Maurice Brown received a ten-year sentence today for his conviction on federal racketeering and bribery charges. Brown was also sentenced to two years of supervised release after his prison term is complete, and ordered to pay a $5,513 fine. Brown was... more »

• Mayor: Tar balls wash onto Ala.'s Orange Beach

  September 6, 2011 10:59 AM

  ORANGE BEACH, Ala. (AP) - A mayor in coastal Alabama says small tar balls are washing onto the state's prime tourist beaches because of the heavy surf kicked up by Tropical Storm Lee. Tony Kennon, the mayor of Orange Beach, Ala., said Tuesday that the tar balls reported so... more »

• Landrieu declares emergency because of marsh fire

  August 30, 2011 4:02 PM

  NEW ORLEANS - New Orleans Mayor Mitch Landrieu says a new marsh fire near a highway prompted him to declare an emergency and call on the Louisiana National Guard for helicopters to dump water on it. Brig. Gen. Glenn H. Curtis said four helicopters based in Hammond were at... more »

• Ex-White Castle mayor's sentencing postponed

  August 11, 2011 11:36 AM

  BATON ROUGE - Former White Castle Mayor Maurice Brown has learned he could be sentenced to a prison term ranging from 19 years to 24 years for his March conviction on federal racketeering and fraud charges. The Advocate reports Brown's sentencing was postponed indefinitely Wednesday by U.S. District Judge... more »

• EBR bond vote latest battle in power struggle between mayor, council

  August 10, 2011 10:35 PM

  BATON ROUGE- For the second time in a month, the East Baton Rouge Parish Metro Council said no to sending Mayor Kip Holden's tax plan to voters, so it won't be on the November ballot. Council members aren't happy with the way it was laid out and angry about... more »

• Council votes tax package down again

  August 10, 2011 6:15 PM

  BATON ROUGE - Metro Council members voted tonight not to send Mayor-President Kip Holden's tax proposal package on to East Baton Rouge Parish voters this October. The vote was 9-1 not to put the measure on the ballot. Two members of the Council were absent. Earlier, Holden had... more »